Elastic-fluid turbine.



R. N. BHRHART.

- BLASTIG FLUID TURBINB. APPLIUATION FILED MAR. 9, 1905.

968,839.I Patented Aug.30,1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

R. N. EHRHART. ELASTIG FLUID'TURBINE. APPLICATION FILED MAB.. 9, 1905.

968,839, Patented Aug. 30, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

-encountered in marine UNITED sTATEs PATENT onirica RAYMOND N. EHRHART,or rrr'rsBUnG, PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNoR To THE WEST- vINGfHOUsE .MACHINECOMPANY, A CORPORATION or PENNSYLVANIA.

ELASTIC-FLUID TURBINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patent-ed Aug. 30, 1910.

Application led March 9, 1905; Serial No. 249,276.

resident of Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented a' new and luseful Improvement inElastic-Fluid Turbines, of which the following is a specification.v

This invention relates to elastic fluid turbines, and,l as an object,has the production of means for counterbalancing the end or longitudinalthrustV to which the rotating shafts or rotors thereof are subjected.

A further object has been the production of means for automaticallybalancingl the end thrust of turbine rotors, due to "any cause, whetherfrom the unbalanced fluid pressure, as in a single flow turbine, or apropeller thrust and the fluid pressure as turbines, or the Weight ofthe rotor and fluid pressure as encountered in vertical turbines.

To obtain these and other objects, I have introduced in connection withelastic fluid turbines, what may be called a balancingchamber.

In the drawingsaccompanying this application and vforming a partthereof, Figure 1 is a longitudinal' section of an elastic fluid turbinefitted With such a balancing-chamber: Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectionof an elastic fluid turbine with a modification in arrangement andlocation of the said balancing-chamber.

Referring to Fig. 1, the motive fluid enters the exterior casing v3 ofthe turbine throughI the port4 4. From the annular chamber 5, connectedwith the port 4, it passes through the highpressure blading on the drum6 to the annular'chamber 7, from the chamber 7 the fluid passes throughthe.

intermediate'pressure blading on the-drum 8 into the 'annular chamberv9, and from the chamber 9, through the 10W pressure blading on the drum10, it is discharged into the exhaust end of the turbine, from whichitis exhausted into a condenser, or the atmosphere, through an exhaustport 411. A secondary port 12 in connection With the' chamber 7 is-arranged to admit fluid at initial pressure to the intermediatepressure drum 8.l This secondary inlet is'controlledv by'a governor andis operated'in case of overloading the turbine. Serrated collars 13 and14, mounted on the shaft 2 at either side of the chamber 15,interleaving with oppositely formed collars mounted on theexterior'casing 3 of the turbine, present a lcircuitous path to theWorking fluid, and the tendency of the fluid'to leak past these collarsis materially decreased.

In the type ofturbine just described, the

entire surface of the rotor is subjected to fluid pressure of more orless intensity, and

- as one surface only of the 'drum is exposed to the fluid pressure, therotary spindle will' tend to move in the direction of this pressure,that is, toward the exhaust end of the turbine. The pressure loftheelastic fluid acting on drum 5 is balanced by an equal and oppositevpressure on the collar 13, but, as is readily'seen from the drawing, nosuch balancing action is obtained in the case of the drums 8 and 10.Therefore, as a means of `counyterbalancin'g this resultant pressure andany exterior pressures to whichV the rotor may be subjected, I haveintroduced Within the interior casing of the elastic fluid turbine achamber 16 with a source of supply 17, through Which the motive fluid atinitial pressure.is introduced, the size and location of the passage 17permits only a restricted flow ofthe motive fluid, the reason for thisis more fully described hereinafter.

Mounted on the shaft 2 and at either side of the chamber 16, areserrated collars 18 and 19 interleaving with oppositely formed collars20 and 21 'mounted on the exterior casing of the turbine. Theinterleaving serrations of 'these' collars have been shown large for thepurpose of description only as in reality they are of the same form" andshape as thosevvith which the collars 13 and 14 are supplied.The'hinterle'aving' collars 18 and 20 and'19and 21 'are so arranged thatAany longitudinal motion of the `shaft decreases the clearance betweenthe adjacent faces of the grooves'and 'ridges to such an extent thatthey 'become practically fluid tight, While in their normal positionthey are arranged to' resent a moderately restricted passage for t eiluid.`

- Thevchamber 16 is so des1gned1thatjthe effective pressure along'the'spindle -due-to the initial fluid pressure in vsaid chamber, will be` inopposition to a longitudinall exterior thrust, or to the pressure of theworking fluid on the drums 8 and 10. In the turbine illustrated thelateral and exposed surface of the collar 18 exceeds that of the collar19, and the eective pressure in the chamber 16 will be exerted 1n thedirection` of the steam end of the turbine and will tend to shift thespindle in that direction. When the longitudinal pressure of the workingfluid on the drums 8 and 9, or longitudinal thrust from some exteriorcause is suflicient to move the spindle laterally, the serrations Yofthe collars 18 and 19 interleaving with the likeserrations on theoppositely formed collars 20 and 21 become effective, by their reducedclearance, in sealing the chamber 16. If initial pressure is nowadmitted at 17, the spindle will be forced toward theadmission endLofthe turbine, but the clearance between the interleaving serrations will,atthe same time, be increasin and the confined fluid in the chamber 16wil leak past the sealin collars. As the flow through 17 is restricted,a degree of leakage will be obtained at some position of the spindlesuchthat the motive fluid in 12 can exert only sulicient pressure toovercome the longitudinal thrust on the spindle. In this way thepressure in the chamber 16 will adjust'itself to balance and overcomeany end thrust to which the rotor is sub# jected without materiallyincreasing the resistance to rotation.

By the arrangement and location of the passages for motive fluid, I haveobtained means for'utilizing the necessary leakage of the fluid from thechamber 16 as a working agent on the rotor. Thev fluid leakage throughthe collars 18 and 20 from the high pressure chamber 16 'into,theintermediate pressure chamber 9 combines with the steam in the saidpassage and is utilized in working on the drum 10. vThe fluid leakingbetween the collars 19 and 21 also combines with the fluid exhaustedfrom the intermediate drum 8 in working on the low pressure drum 10. Bya further arrangement of pipes-and passages it is possible to utilizethe steamleaking from any working chamber 'of the turbine in a workingchamber of lower pressure. The leakage from the high pressure chamber 5past the collars 13 into the chamber 15 is carried by the pipe 22 intothe chamber 7 where it combines with the -fluid exhausted from the highpressure drum w6 and is utilized in working on the intermediate pressuredum 8. The leakage from the chamber 15 into the chamber 23 is carried bythe pipe k241 into the chamber 9, and in conjunction, with the steamexhausted from the drum 8 it works on the low pressure drum 10. l I

Liquid packing means or other suitable glands are mounted in thechambers 25 and 26 at either end of the elastic fluid turbine and form ahermetically tight joint between the exterior casing 3 and the rotatingshaft 2 of the turbine.

Fig. 2 is alongitudinal section of an elastic fluid turbine fitted witha differently 1o-v The leakage from the chamber 16 into the chamber15`is carried by the pipe 22 into either the chamber 7 or the chamber 9by the use of a conveniently located three-way valve 27. The leakagefrom the chamber 15 into the chamber 23 is carried by the pi e 24 intothe chamber 9. The secondary 1 et port 12 'can still be retained withthis system of leakage pipes, as the low pressure fluid from the chamber15 can be admitted to the chamber 9 by the use of the three-way valve 27when the chamber 7 is under initial pressure. The chambers p25 and 26contain liquid packing means `for sealing the joint between shaft 2 andthe exterior casing 3 of the turbine. i

Still another modification of this balancing-chamber may be used inconnection with a vertical elastic fluid turbine. If we consider theshaft 2 of the turbine in Fig. 2

supplied with astep bearing at the exhaust end of the exterior casin 3and a flexible coupling at the other en of the shaft for connectmg an-electric generator or somel such machine thefigure may be utilized asan illustration of a vertical turbine. In such turbines the step bearingofthe shaft 2 isdeSigned to support the entire weight lof the rotatingelement in addition to the downward pressure of the motive fluid on thedrums 8 and 10. The chamber 16 and its inclosed disk can be soproportioned that it 'will balance the fluid pressure and the weight ofthe rotor, and the pressure of the shaft on the step bearing will bematerially decreased. In fact such a'degree of balancing may be obtainedthat the spindle will rotate exerting practically no pressure on thestep bearingl y If the turbine is so constructed that the fluid pressureon the drums 8 and 9 is in opposition to the pressure exerted by theweight of the rotort-he balancing action of the chamber 16 is just aseffective. i

In marine turbines in which the propeller thrust either increases ordecreases the 1ongitudinal thrust of the rotor, due to lateral fluidpressure, the balancing-chamber is effective, and the rotor can be soarranged and 'proportioned in connection with the ,y

balancing-chamber that the propeller thrust can be'balanced either whilethe turbine is running ahead or reversing.

The device above described is self-adjusting and will automatically fititself to any change of load, vacuum or pressure,'and by means of theauxiliary'passages all of the motive fluid has arr opportunity to4 workefliciently within the turbine. Having thus describedmy invention, whatI claim is:

1. In an elastic Huid turbine, means for exerting lateral pressure onthe rotor of said turbine in opposition to any end thrust of the saidrotor, agents dependent on said end thrust for regulating the amount oflateral or balancing pressure exerted and means for utilizing the excessof balancing fluid pressure as a Working agent insaid turbine.

2. In an elastic fluid turbine, means for applying fluid pressure inopposition to the end thrust of vthe turbine shaft, means forautomatically regulating such pressure, in accordance with the degree ofend thrust and means for utilizing the excess of pressure as a workingagent in said turbine.

3. In an elastic fluid turbine, a pressure chamber, means within saidchamber for exerting lateral pressure on the rotor of said turbine,instrumentalities auxiliary to said chamber and actuated by said rotorfor varying said balancing pressure andA means for utilizin the excessof pressure as a driving agent 1n said turbine.

4. In an elastic fluid' turbine, a rotatable shaft, a fluid pressurechamber surrounding the shaft, a sourceof fluid supply communieatingwith the said chamber, a member car ried' by the shaft and subjected tothe fluid pressure in the said chamber means whereby the fluid pressurein the chamber is varied in proporti'om-to the end thrust imparted tothe shaft and means for utilizingthe excess of fluid iny said chamber asa driving agent for said turbine.

5. In an elastic fluid turbine, a rotatable shaft, a` fluid pressurechamber encircling the shaft, a member carried by the shaft andsubjected to the fluid pressure in the said chamber, a source of fluidsupply communieating with the chambermeans whereby the fluid pressure inthe said chamber is automatically varied as the end thrust imparted tothe shaft varies 'and means for utilizing the excess of fluid pressurein said chamber as 'motive lluid in said turbine.

6. In an elastic fluid turbine, a rotatable shaft, a chamber surroundingsaid shaft, 'a

Lsource of fluid supply communicating with said chamber, a membercarried by said shaft and subjected on one side to' the fluidpressure-in said chamber and means whereby the amount of fluid suppliedto -said chamber is varied in accordance with the end thrust impartedto-said shaft.

7. In an elastic lluidturbine, a rotatable shaft, a pressure chambersurrounding said shaft, a source of fluid supply communicating with saidchamber, amember carried by said shaft and( subjected to luid'pressurein said chamber, an interleaving seal be tween said member and the wallsof said chamber and means, dependent on the end thrust encountered bysaid shaft for rendering said interleaving seal eectiveand for egulatingthe fluid pressure in said cham.-

er.- l

8. In an elastic fluid turbine, a rotatable shaft, a casing surroundingsaid shaft, a chamber within said casing, members mounted on said shaftso as to form walls for saidchamber, a fluid supply to said chamber andmeans, dependent on the position of said members, for controlling'theHuid pressure within said chamber.

9. In combination with an elastic iiuid turbine, a fluid-actuated thrustrelieving device, fluid admission means for said device y automaticallyvregulable in accordance with' the longitudinal position of the turbinerotor and means for passing the exhaust from said device to the turbineto be relieved.

10. In combination with an elastic fluid turbine, a fluid-actuatedthrust relieving device, #means for supplying said device with workingfluid, means for passing the exhaust from said device to the turbine tobe re' lieved and means automatically regulable in accordance with thelongitudinal position of the turbine rotor for controllingl saidexhaust.` 11. In combination, an elasticfluid turbine, a thrustrelieving 'device located in a casing separated from the workingpassages of said turbine, means, dependent on the' thrust encountered bythe turbine, for controlling the delivery of motiveluid to said' deviceand means. for delivering the ex `haust from said device to a workingportion of the turbine. l

12. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine, a {luid-actuated relievingdevice, means for controlling the delivery of fluid to said device inaccordance with the thrust encountered and means for ydelivering theexhaustfluid from said device tothe turbine to be relieved.

13. In combination with an (elastic fluid turbine, through the/stages ofwhich the working.. fluid flows in one axial direction only, afluid-actuated thrust relieving device located adjacent the highpressure end of said turbine, means for delivering the exhaust from saiddevice to the turbine to be relieved and means, dependent' on the offluid to saidv device. y

14. In combination with an elastic fluid? turbine, through the stages ofwhich the `Worl'ring fluid flows inI one axial direction:

f amount of thrust, for varying the admission' v amount of thrust,

only, a fluid-actuated thrust relieving de Working portion of theturbine.

16. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine, a thrustrelieving device,means for delivering working Huid to said device and means, dependent onthe thrust encountered by the turbine, for proportioning the delivery ofexhaust from said device to the turbine to be relieved.

17. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine, a thrust relieving devicetherefor,

means, Within the'turbme casing, for delivering working fluid to saiddevice and means, dependent on the thrust encountered by said turbine,for delivering the exhaust from said device to a working portion of theturbine.

18. In combination, an elastic fluid tur-` bine, a thrust relievingdevice, means, located Within a chamber separated from the Workingpassages of the turbine, for delivering working fluid to said device andmeans,

dependentpn the thrust'encountered by said turbine, for deliverin theexhaust from said device to the turblne to be relieved.

19. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine having a motive fluidsupply port,I a thrust relief device, means in communication with theturbine`casing but separated from the motiveiiuid supply port fordelivering motive fluid to sald device and means dependent upon a thrustencountered by the turbine for controlling the size of the exhaustopeningfrom said device.

20. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine, a Huid-actuated thrustrelieving device, means whereby the exhaust fluid from said device isdelivered to the turbine to be relieved 4and means for .controlling theamount of fluid so delivered in accordance With the amount of thrustencountered 4by said turbine. v

21. In combination, an elastic fluid turbine, a Huid-actuated thrustrelievin device,

' regulable means for delivering motive fluid to said device and means,dependent on the amount of thrust encountered, for passingl the exhaustfrom said device to the turbine to be relieved.

22. In combination, an elastic fluid tur,- bine, a thrust relievin meansindependent of the supply port for the turbine and, dependent on thethrust endevice therefor, and

countered by said turbine, for lcontrollin the delivery of motive iuidtosaid dev1c .and the exhaust of motive fluid from said device said meansbeing in communication lmeans separate from the thrust relieving de-`-vice dependent onv the thrust encountered by said turbine, forcontrolling the delivery of motive fluid to said device and means for lcontrolling the exhaust therefrom in accord ance with the thrustencountered said thrust relieving device and turbine being in con1-municatlon.

25. In combination, an elastic fluid tur-y bine, a thrust relievingdevice therefor, means, dependent on the thrust encountered by saidturbine, for controlling` the delivery of motive fluid to said device,means for delivering the exhaust fluid from said device .to the turbineand means for controllin the exhaust delivery of said device in accorance with the thrust encountered by the turbine. 26. In combination, anelastic fluid turbine, a thrust relieving device therefor,

' means, dependent on the thrust encountered by said turbine, forcontrolling the. delivery of motive fluid to said device, means fordelivering the exhaust fluid from said device to a working passage ofsaid turbine and means, dependent `on the amount ofA thrust encounteredby the. turbine, for controlling the exhaust delivery f saidv device.

27. In an elastic fluid turbine, a thrust relieving device comprising achamber vformed Within the turbine casing and surrounding the turbineshaft, a member carried'by theshaft and forming a ,wall of said chamber,means for permitting a flow of motive fluid through saidhamber andmeans, dependent on the thrust encountered by the turbine, for varyingthe flow of motive fluidthrough said chamber to thereby control thepressure within said chamber.

28.A In an elastic fluid turbine, a thrust'relieving device comprising achamber surrounding thefturbineshaft, a memberI carried by said shaftand forming a Wall of said chamber, a fluid supply for said chamber, aninterleaving seal between said member and the stationaryvvall of saidchamber and means for varying the effectiveness of said seal for thepurpose of regulating the pressure within sald chamber.

29. In an elastic iuid turbine, a thrust efectiveness of said 'sea-1 forthe purpose of 10 lieving device comprising a chamber surregulating thepressure within said chamber. rounding the turbine shaft, a member car-In testlmony whereof, I have hereunto ried by the shaft and forming aWall of subscribed my name this 27th day of Februsaid chamber, a Huidsupply for said chamary, 1905.

ber, an interleavingseal between said mem- RAYMOND N. EIIRHART. berandthe stationary Wall of said chamber Witnesses: and means, dependenton the thrust encoun- DAVID WILLIAMS,

tered by vsaid turbine, for varying the ef- E. W. MCCALIJSTER.

